Free Teaching Resources to use with The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963

Are you looking for some ideas to use with The Watsons Go to Birmingham? This post contains several free teaching resources.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham reads almost like a diary detailing interesting events in the lives of what neighbors in Flint, Michigan call the “Weird Watsons.” The story is told from the perspective of fourth grader Kenny. Many of his stories detail how Byron, Kenny’s older brother, gets into trouble. Finally, Momma and Dad are frustrated to the point that they decide to take a family trip to Birmingham. This is where Grandma Sands lives. Bryon is told he is going to live with his no nonsense, extremely strict Grandma until he can learn to behave.

Free Character Trait Cards

Get the cards here. Have students describe each member of the Watson family using these character trait cards. Both full color and black lined copies are provided. Here are a few details to get you started:

Daniel

father of three (married to Wilona)

jokester – likes to make his family laugh

likes to perform for the family

Wilona

mother of three (married to Daniel)

caring

born in Birmingham, Alabama

doesn’t like the cold

thinks people are friendlier in Birmingham

Byron

oldest sibling

13 years old

juvenile delinquent

likes to bully Kevin

proud of his family, but has a difficult time expressing it

Kenny

narrator of the story

middle sibling

gets picked on

smart – Teachers have him read to older students as an example.

outsider – not many friends (must give up dinosaurs to play with LJ Jones)

Joey

youngest sibling

gullible believes Byron’s tall tales

Grandma Sands

Wilona’s mother

strict disciplinarian

lives in Birmingham

Free Samples from The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 Book Unit

If you would like to tryout The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 Book Unit, this download contains the following samples: